The Houston Astros have returned Rule 5 draft pick Lance Pendleton to the New York Yankees, Alyson Footer of the Houston Astros reports.  The Yankees will assign the right-handed pitcher to their Minor League camp, Footer adds.

The 27-year-old was originally a fourth-round draft pick by the Yankees in the 2005 MLB Amateur Draft.  In five Minor League seasons he has a 32-22 record in 102 appearances 88 starts with a 3.39 ERA.

Players chosen in the Rule 5 draft must be kept on the selecting team’s 25-man roster for the entire season or he has to be offered back to the original team.